A for Airborne Dust Hazard

Airborne wood dust is one of the most dangerous hazards we are exposed to when woodworking. It can cause serious non-reversible health problems including skin disorders, rhinitis and nasal passage obstruction, asthma and a rare type of nasal cancer.

Fine dust poses the greatest danger as breathing takes this deep into lungs where it can do the most damage. In addition to tiny particles of wood produced during working, wood dust may also contain bacteria, fungal and moss spores.

The following activities can produce high levels of dust exposure.

• Machining - particularly sawing, routing and turning
• Sanding - both by machine and by hand
• Cleaning component parts using compressed air
• Bagging of dust from dust extraction systems
• Cleaning machines and sweeping up the workshop    

Many professional woodturners suffer from exposure to wood dust – some have used respiratory protection whilst turning or sanding but were then caught out as they cleaned up without breathing protection.

• Adopting the following can help minimise exposure to airborne dust:
• Install a dust extraction system to remove dust close to its source.
• Use a filtration system to remove dust from the air in the workshop
• Wear a dust mask or powered respirator whilst machining and afterwards including while cleaning up the workshop.
• Turn wood wet and wet sand to minimise dust production.
• Optimise the finish from the tool to minimise the need for sanding.

LEARNING POINT – Don’t let the dust get to you!

Trevor Branton